Years before Disney would cast her as the lead in Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus’ film debut was actually in a 21-year-old Tim Burton fantasy movie.

Tim Burton beat Disney to the punch by casting Miley Cyrus, one of their biggest stars of the 2000s, in her very first movie role. While Tim Burton frequently casting the same actors in his movies, such as Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Catherine O’Hara, is a trademark of his filmography, his movies have also provided various breakout roles and early appearances for major Hollywood stars. In addition to notably casting Winona Ryder in her breakout role in Beetlejuice, Burton directed future star Miley Cyrus in her film debut.

While Miley Cyrus is best known for her hit solo music career, she initially rose to fame on Disney Channel for her starring role as Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart in the TV show Hannah Montana. Cyrus was among Disney’s biggest teen stars in the late-2000s, with her success on the Disney Channel show eventually leading to various movie roles for the singer/actress. However, while her career skyrocketed under Disney, it was Tim Burton who gave Miley Cyrus her first movie role – three years before the premiere of Hannah Montana.